Scale Effect on Hydrologic Complexity: How Drainage Area Determines Stream Flashiness

Otta, Kedar and Biswal, Basudev (2018) Scale Effect on Hydrologic Complexity: How Drainage Area Determines Stream Flashiness. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad.

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Abstract

The flow in a river basin is dynamic in nature, and depends on the climatologic variations and its geomorphologic makeover. River flow variability thus depends on these factors. In this study, we consider rainfall and topographic features of the catchment as driving forces for the flow variability. We have used Richard Bakers Flashiness Index as a measure of flow variability. Also, we have developed a new Relative Flashiness Index (RFI), considering the effect that, variation in rainfall leads to variation in stream flow. The new RFI developed shows promising results, as a good measure for streamflow variability, especially for the modelled discharge, which was obtained by using an instantaneous dryness-index based zero parameter model. The model is a lumped calibration-free model, and works well for small catchments. In this study, we have expanded the model for grid-based data, by incorporating a new routing module and hence making it possible to use the model even for large catchments. The results of the new combined model show encouraging results for its applicability, especially for large catchments in ungauged basins

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